View full sizeStaff Photo by Carly Q. Romalino/ Gloucester County TimesGloucester County Administrator Chad Bruner makes a presentation on the 2012 county budget before the 7-0 vote of the freeholder board to adopt it. The budget includes a $3 million reduction in operating expenses and a $4 million cut to the tax levy.

The Gloucester County Freeholder Board’s teamwork on the 2012 county budget carried through to a unanimous vote to adopt the budget.

In a 7-0 vote, the $198.7 million operating budget was adopted Wednesday with freeholders congratulating each other — and previous boards — for years of planning that lead to an anticipated tax decrease for 20 of the county’s 24 towns.

“I think this board should be proud of the work it’s done over the last several years,” said Chad Bruner, the county administrator, whose pre-vote presentation on the budget ended with applause from the audience.

The freeholders adopted a budget that reflects a $3.2 million cut from last year’s operating budget and a $4 million reduction in the tax levy which stands at $139.9 million.

“I’m glad it’s going down,” said Freeholder Larry Wallace. “I hope we can do it again next year.”

The county budget shows a decrease in debt, bringing the county’s outstanding debt to $281 million. By 2017, Bruner expects the debt to stand at $225 million, a 31 percent reduction.

Capital expenses have also decreased this year by 44 percent. The anticipated retirements of 13 county employees will save $1 million in salaries and wages by not replacing the retired individuals.

“This body of government is fiscally conservative,” said resident Lee Lucas, of Gibbstown, during the budget’s public hearing.

“In these tough economic times it’s not an easy task,” said Freeholder Director Robert Damminger, who was praised as one of the two freeholders who drove the county to a tax cut. He and Deputy Director Joe Chila, the most senior board members, were credited by their colleagues for years of sound financial planning.

“We will not handcuff future boards,” Damminger said. “It’s prudent fiscal management, and we are all taxpayers.”

Other surrounding counties aren’t in such good shape, according to Chila.

Gloucester County looks to be one of the only county governments in the state to adopt a budget with a tax levy decrease.